BMW has confirmed its entry as an official manufacturer from the fifth season (2018/19) onwards of the fledgling Formula Echampionship.

The Andretti Formula E works team will use a BMW-sourced electric drivetrain from season 5, and will serve as a development hub for the company's upcoming iNEXT autonomous project and the next-generation of its electrified BMW i range.

"Through our involvement in Formula E, we are addressing the development towards sustainable and emission free mobility in the automobile industry and are also making a contribution to the brand’s progression to BMW iNEXT," said Klaus Fröhlich, member of the management board at BMW AG.

"The borders between production and motor racing development are more blurred at BMW i Motorsport than in any other project. The result is a technology transfer on a whole new level."

"We are certainly confident that the BMW Group will benefit greatly from the experience gained in the field of electrotechnology during this project," he added.

This latest development follows the company's announcement in March that it was exploring a potential team entry into the electric championship's fifth season.

BMW is already an existing Formula E partner since its inaugural season, with the i3 and i8 being used as official vehicles at each Formula E event (above).